System and method for providing a proxy in a short message service (SMS) environment

ABSTRACT

According to a particular embodiment, a method for distributing messages is provided that includes receiving one or more short message service (SMS) messages. The method also includes distributing one or more of the messages to a selected one or a plurality of short message service center (SMSC) servers.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to network communications and,more particularly, to a system and a method for providing a proxy in ashort message service (SMS) environment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Networking architectures have grown increasingly complex incommunications environments. In recent years; a series of protocols andarchitectures have been developed in order to accommodate a diversegroup of end users having various needs. Some of these protocols relateto messaging.

Mobile messaging technology is evolving rapidly to provide multipleservices and applications to today's subscribers. With the continueddelay of third-generation (3G) deployments and migration to fullypacket-switched networks, coupled with the demand for fast-to-marketdata applications over existing wireless networks, mobile operatorsoften look at expanding their short messaging systems to provide aviable solution for their business needs.

Existing Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and code divisionmultiple access (CDMA) mobile networks use Short Message Service (SMS)as a multipurpose data service that enables rapid deployment of dataapplications without the need for 3G bandwidth capabilities. In fact,SMS traffic is growing exponentially, straining existing mobileoperators' signaling networks and infrastructure. The original intentionof the SMS protocol was to provide the mobile subscriber withinformation about the mobile network condition. SMS has recently becomea popular protocol for text messaging over the airways.

Traditional messaging deployments are based on a centralized model whereall messages (sent and received by the mobile user) are typicallydirected to messaging centers within the operators' networks. This modelis becoming less effective due to the increased traffic and usage levelsof messaging in the mobile networks today. The centralized model causesexcessive messaging loads on the SMS centers (SMSCs), as well asirregular bursts of messaging traffic that is typically sent over thetraditional signaling links, such as signaling system 7 (SS7):originally designed to handle voice signaling and not the bearer datatraffic.

Accordingly, a more efficient architecture is necessary to alleviatethese problems. The above-identified issues offer a significantchallenge to network operators, component manufacturers, and systemdesigners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with some of the teachings of the present invention,techniques for providing optimal messaging protocols are provided.According to certain embodiments, these techniques enable for aneffective distribution of workload for a given set of servers, asdescribed in greater detail below. In particular, these techniques canoffer increased bandwidth, as well as optimal service quality for agiven mobile station.

According to a particular embodiment, a method for distributing messagesis provided that includes receiving one or more short message service(SMS) messages. The method also includes distributing one or more of themessages to a selected one or a plurality of short message servicecenter (SMSC) servers.

In a more particular embodiment, the method provides that one or more ofthe SMS messages are distributed based on their application type. Inaddition, one or more of the SMS messages are distributed based on theirB-address (which reflects the destination short message entity or thedestination SME). In yet another more specific embodiment, one or moreof the SMS messages are distributed based on a weighted round robinalgorithm, which can be executed independent of (or in conjunction with)evaluating the B-addresses of the SMS message. The SMS messages areeither segmented or non-segmented. Additionally, a specific B-address ina range of B-addresses may be bound to a specific SMSC within a weightedset.

Embodiments of the invention provide various technical advantages. Forexample, the architecture of the present invention provides improvedflexibility. The current architected mechanism for distributing SMSmessages requires that each mobile user/device be programmed with a“home SMSC”, which then processes that mobile user's short messages.Distribution of messages across SMSCs is statically bound when a mobileuser is activated: instead of optimizing network delivery of the messagewhen initiated by the user. Note also that the routing decision may alsobe based on the originating SME (or A-address), virtual destination SMSCaddress, or actual message content.

By providing an intelligent proxy server, the present inventionmaximizes available bandwidth and capacity for the SMSC. Additionally,the present architecture offers increased scalability for the SMSCarchitecture. The SMS traffic is distributed based on its applicationtype. Also, decisions can be made based on the B-address, whereby themessages can be distributed across a set of SMSCs: per application.This, in turn, can offer a significant capacity expansion at asubstantially lower cost.

Certain technical advantages of the present invention may be readilyapparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures,descriptions, and claims. Moreover, while specific advantages have beenenumerated above, various embodiments may include all, some, or none ofthe enumerated advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and itsadvantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram that illustrates a communicationsystem having elements that support a messaging protocol in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration thatoffers details relating to one embodiment of the communication system;and

FIG. 3 is a simplified flow diagram associated with a method forproviding the messaging protocol in the communication system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram that illustrates a communicationsystem 10 for providing an effective messaging protocol in a networkenvironment. Communication system 10 comprises a plurality of mobilestations 12 a-d and a plurality of mobile switching centers 14 a-d,which are coupled to a core network 20. Additionally, communicationsystem 10 includes a short message service center (SMSC) proxy 24, whichis coupled to multiple SMSC servers 30 a-c. Communication system 10 alsoincludes an application server 34 that is operable to communicate withone or more of the SMSC servers 30 a-c. Note that SMSC proxy 24 may beimplemented as multiple nodes for network redundancy, extra capacity,etc., where appropriate. SMSC proxy 24 may also be provisioned within agiven MSC in alternative embodiments of the present invention.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, communicationsystem 10 addresses the problem of how to distribute or to loadbalance(or load share) messages for a given SMSC server. Note that with thegrowth of SMS traffic, SMS load-distribution systems are being developedin order to reduce the cost of short message service center deliverysolutions. The systems are also attempting to provide higher networkredundancy and availability for associated customers. Some aspects ofthe Global System for Mobile (GSM) SMS protocol, such as mobileapplication protocol (MAP) layer segmentation, make distributionmechanisms based on message content impossible without a statefulsolution.

Communication system 10 offers a stateful SMSC proxy 24 for handlingmobile originated messages. The solution can be used as either acomplement to stateless message redirection solutions (such asarchitectures that involve multilayer routing (MLR)) or as a statefulSMS message router, which can complement legacy SMSC servers. The SMSMAP dialogue, initiated by the corresponding MSC, can be intercepted andterminated by SMSC proxy 24. SMSC proxy 24 may either redirect themessage to another SMSC, or deliver the message itself: allowing adistributed network for SMS delivery. Thus, the provision of a statefulSMSC proxy system is offered to allow an operator to deploy messages ina distributed manner.

For purposes of teaching and discussion, it is useful to provide someoverview as to the way in which the following invention operates. Thefollowing foundational information may be viewed as a basis from whichthe present invention may be properly explained. Such information isoffered earnestly for purposes of explanation only and, accordingly,should not be construed in any way to limit the broad scope of thepresent invention and its potential applications.

SMS control and data messages are sent via the traditional circuit-basedvoice signaling, or signaling system (SS7), network. The multimediamessaging system (MMS), however, uses the packet network introduced in2.5 G and 3 G environments by delivering the content over the bearernetwork (general packet radio service [GPRS] or code division multipleaccess [CDMA]. Note that in MMS, some of the control messages stilltraverse the signaling network. Certain architectures enable mobileoperators to scale their messaging capacity by increasing the capacityof the messaging center. Capacity is also increased by using more orlarger messaging center platforms, as well as by adding signalingbandwidth in the network (circuit and packet).

The majority of messaging traffic can be classified into threecategories: 1) mobile originated mobile terminated traffic; 2) mobileoriginated application terminated traffic; and 3) application originatedmobile terminated traffic. Most messaging services and applicationsdeployed over any mobile network currently can be classified into one ormore of these categories. A television voting campaign is an example ofmobile originated application terminated traffic. A sound clip oranimation sent from one mobile network to the other is a mobileoriginated mobile terminated type of message.

All traffic in the above categories must traverse the messaging center.Peak application use, as might occur during an interactive TV program,for example, can cause a traffic spike that results in seriousconsequences for wireless networks as messaging centers reach theircapacity limitations. Other events, such as sporting events or holidays,can have similar effects on wireless networks.

Communication system 10 provides for a more efficient architecture,which may use a hybrid model that combines a centralized model with adistributed functionality. Each time a user sends an SMS message thatmessage must route to the SMSC. Today this causes a bottleneck scenarioduring high-volume use of SMS (e.g. when audience interaction, voting,and gaming applications are used, or during seasonal events andholidays, which can cause tremendous spikes in messaging traffic). Incertain cases, some operators experience loss of service for extendedperiods of time simply because there is not sufficient capacity in themessaging centers to handle the traffic.

The present invention overcomes these deficiencies, and others, inoffering a stateful proxy solution that achieves the distributioncapability, as outlined herein. This is in contrast to currentarchitected mechanisms for distributing SMS messages, which requiresthat each mobile user/device be programmed with a “home SMSC”, whichthen processes that mobile user's short messages.

The present invention is optimal because it maximizes availablebandwidth and capacity for SMSC servers 30-c. Additionally, the presentarchitecture offers increased scalability of the SMSC architecture. TheSMS traffic is distributed based on its application type and decisionscan be made based on the B-address (which is explained more fullybelow), whereby the messages can be distributed across a set of SMSCs,per application. This, in turn, can offer a significant capacityexpansion at a substantially lower cost.

The present invention also has other positive attributes, such as: 1)decoupling (or offloading) the SS7 link aggregation/termination from theSMSC, allowing it to focus resources on SMS message delivery andapplication services; 2) providing for deployment of new services to berolled out on new SMSC servers without requiring more capacity onexisting SMSC servers; and 3) providing a migration path by introducingnew services on new SMSC servers while allowing old services to continueto be handled by legacy SMSCs.

Communication system 10 can perform distribution across geography and/ormultiple nodes. A weighted round-robin algorithm could be used to reachmaximum capacity. The algorithm can also account for networkavailability, congestion, and other parameters, as well as the abilityto provide for back-up servers. These operations can be done independentof (or in conjunction with) evaluating the B-addresses, and subsequentlyperforming intelligent application-based distribution. Details relatingto the proxy operation, as well as other benefits offered by the presentinvention, are provided below in conjunction with the following FIGURES.

Turning now to the actual components of FIG. 1, FIG. 1 includes multiplemobile stations 12 a-d, which reflect an entity, such as a client,subscriber, end user, or customer that seeks to initiate a communicationsession or data exchange in communication system 10 via any suitablenetwork. In a particular embodiment, each mobile station 12 a-d isequipped such that it can accommodate SMS messaging protocols. Mobilestations 12 a-d may operate to use, or to leverage, any suitable devicefor communications in communication system 10.

Mobile stations 12 a-d may further represent a communications interfacefor an end user of communication system 10. Mobile stations 12 a-d maybe a cellular or other wireless telephone, an electronic notebook, acomputer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or any other device,component, or object capable of initiating a data exchange facilitatedby communication system 10. Mobile stations 12 a-d may also be inclusiveof any suitable interface to the human user or to a computer, such as adisplay, microphone, keyboard, or other terminal equipment (such as forexample an interface to a personal computer or to a facsimile machine incases where mobile stations 12 a-d is used as a modem).

Mobile stations 12 a-d may alternatively be any device or object thatseeks to initiate a communication on behalf of another entity orelement, such as a program, a database, or any other component, device,element, or object capable of initiating a voice or a data exchangewithin communication system 10. Data, as used herein in this document,refers to any type of numeric, voice, video, audio-visual, or scriptdata, or any type of source or object code, or any other suitableinformation in any appropriate format that may be communicated from onepoint to another.

MSCs 14 a-d may operate as an interface between a network (e.g. a publicswitched telephone network (PSTN)) and radio equipment (e.g. a basestation controller), and potentially between multiple other mobileswitching centers in a network. Some of these elements are not shown inFIG. 1 for purposes of clarity and abbreviation. MSCs 14 a-d represent alocation that generally houses communication switches and computers andensures that its cell sites in a given geographical area are properlyconnected. Thus, the power of the distributed short message routing(DSMR) architecture of the present invention allows messages to behandled closest to their point of origin.

Cell sites refer generally to the transmission and reception equipmentor components that connect elements such mobile stations 12 a-d to anetwork, such as core network 20 for example. By controllingtransmission power and radio frequencies, MSCs 14 a-d may monitor themovement and the transfer of a wireless communication from one cell toanother cell and from one frequency or channel to another frequency orchannel. In a given communication environment, MSCs 14 a-d may alsogenerally handle connection, tracking, status, billing information, andother user information for communications in a designated area.

Core network 20 represents communications equipment, including hardwareand any appropriate controlling logic, for providing access for mobilestations 12 a-d to conduct telephony services (inclusive of SMSprotocols). Various cellular protocols and technologies may be used bycore network 20, including but not limited to GSM, TDMA, CDMA, and anyother appropriate analog or digital cellular protocol or technology.Furthermore, core network 20 may utilize SS7 protocol for signalingpurposes.

Thus, core network 20 may represent a local area network (LAN), a widearea network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wireless LAN(WLAN), a virtual private network (VPN), and/or any other appropriateform of network. Furthermore, elements within core network 20 mayutilize circuit-switched and/or packet-based communication protocols toprovide for telephony and messaging services. For example, elementswithin core network 20 may utilize an Internet Protocol (IP).

Application server 34 is a processor that is operable to receive SMSmessages and then perform some type of processing for the messages (e.g.a simple voting server). The processing operations may include simpletabulation or aggregation functions. Alternatively, the processingoperations may include more sophisticated tasks, such as providingbusiness-type responses to those individuals who cast a vote during agiven election scenario. Other processing operations can be performedwhere appropriate and based on particular needs.

SMSC proxy 24 is a network element that is operable to communicate withSMSC servers 30 a-c in order to offer the load distribution techniquesas identified herein. SMSC proxy 24 could be a router, a switch, agateway, a loadbalancer, a bridge, a central processing unit (CPU), or aproprietary element that could be used for purposes of proxying messagesthat it receives. SMSC servers 30 a-c are (similarly) network elementsthat can receive SMS messages and process them accordingly. As usedherein in this document, the term server is generic and, thus, includesany suitable network component, such as those identified immediatelyabove in describing SMSC proxy 24. Additional details related to thesedevices are provided below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

It should also be noted that the internal structure of SMSC proxy 24 andSMSC servers 30 a-c are malleable and can readily be changed, modified,rearranged, or reconfigured in order to achieve their intendedoperations, as they pertain to the SMS distribution function and thestateful feature outlined herein. Software and/or hardware may reside inboth of these elements (or in just one) in order to facilitate theteachings of the distribution mechanism of the present invention. Aproprietary signaling may also be provided in each SMSC server 30 a-csuch that the teachings of the present invention can readily beachieved. Hence, software and/or hardware is provided in SMSC proxy 24,which proxies the messages that it receives in an optimal fashion.

However, due to their flexibility, these elements (SMSC proxy 24 andSMSC servers 30 a-c) may alternatively be equipped with (or include) anysuitable component, device, application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), processor, microprocessor, algorithm, read-only memory (ROM)element, random access memory (RAM) element, erasable programmable ROM(EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM),field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other suitable element orobject that is operable to facilitate the operations thereof.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating additional detailsrelating to communication system 10. In addition to the elements of FIG.1, FIG. 2 further includes multiple signaling transfer points (STP) 40a-b and multiple SMSC proxy nodes 44 a-b, which can be IP transferpoints (ITP). In one embodiment, these elements communicate using a TDMprotocol, as is illustrated. A signaling platform 38 of FIG. 2 includestwo example SMSC servers 30 a-b, which are coupled to a messaging broker48.

A messaging platform, which may be coupled to (or be part of) messagingbroker 48, has a database of short codes and it can interpret where themessage is to be delivered. Generally, a group of application serversreside behind messaging platform 48.

To fully understand the operations of the elements of FIG. 2, a numberof ancillary concepts should be understood. During the provisioningprocess, each mobile user is assigned a home SMSC address. Whenever theend user of the phone elects to send an SMSC message, the message issent to its corresponding MSC. The messages can be sent over the SS7network. The SMSC address is provided to the MSC, whereby the MSCunderstands that the end user is attempting to submit the message to itsspecific home SMSC address.

The MSC takes responsibility for delivering the message to the ultimatedestination. Thus, it should be recognized that there are two addressesinvolved in this arrangement. The first address is the “first stop” ofthe message, which relates to a corresponding MSC. The second address isthe ultimate destination of the message (e.g. to another end user, whowill subsequently receive the message and read it, or to a votingserver, or to a messaging broker, etc.).

One problem associated with this scenario is that the SMSC servers offera single point of failure. Additionally, the SMSC servers are notloadbalanced (i.e. a single SMSC server could be overwhelmed, whereasanother may not be near capacity). Note that the predominant solution ofstatic distribution is performed by assigning groups of subscribers todifferent SMSC addresses. This is simply not load-based. It should alsobe noted that SMSC servers are provisioned with respect to service. Forexample, an SMSC server would generally be relegated certain services toperform for a given group of end users.

The configuration of FIG. 2 offers a solution that evaluates themobile-originated (sometimes abbreviated MO) SMS message and determines,based on the configuration and availability of the current SMSC servers,where this message should be serviced. Hence, the algorithm can considernetwork availability and network congestion of the SMSC server. Thisoffers a server-loadbalancing type of feature for the system. It shouldbe noted that the architecture does not have to be centralized. Forexample, this feature may be distributed into the MSC sites. In such acase, routing is not necessarily done through the core network, butcould be done through an IP network. Thus, the present invention mayoperate optimally in both a distributed and a centralized architecture.

To understand why SMSC proxy 24 is so valuable, the audience shouldcomprehend how routing decisions are generally made using MLR. Manyrouting decisions are made on the B-address (i.e. the ultimatedestination). But this could present a problem for MLR protocols becausethe B-address may not be present and the SMS message is missing incertain scenarios. MLR is generally a state-less architecture, wherebyif it encountered such a scenario, it would simply pick an SMSC serverto which to route the message.

However, the ITP would not make an informed loadbalancing decision basedon ideal criteria for selecting an SMSC. The ITP does not have therequisite information (the B-address) to make an intelligentload-sharing decision. Hence, without the use of SMSC proxy 24, ITP (orany other protocol, which did not have the B-address) would have to pickan arbitrary SMSC server to receive the message. This routing could becorrect, or it could terribly deficient (e.g. routing a message to alegacy SMSC, which is not even capable of processing this type ofmessage).

In sum, the distribution mechanism in any such architecture must beintelligent such that it can route messages based on B-addresses forboth non-segmented and segmented messages. The segmented messages arelarger messages in size and, thus, need to be accounted for.

It should be recognized that segmented messages are continuing to growin size. For example, application servers currently have the abilitysend response-like business traffic back to the end user, who initiatedthe message. Consider a case where an end user elects to vote for someevent, which is being televised. After submitting his vote of choice, anapplication server can then respond with a message such as:“Congratulations, you are the 1,000,000^(th) voter in this election. Youhave just won a trip to Hollywood.” In other cases, these responsescould be simply solicitations for consumer spending (e.g.advertisements, marketing campaigns, etc.). Hence, many advertisers donot want to be restricted to a designated character limit (e.g. a 70character limit message payload character limit, or message contentcharacter limit). For example, in GSM networks, MSC implementations maysegment the MAP dialogue with SMS payloads as small as 70 characters.

In the architecture of FIG. 2, the ITP becomes a stateful SMSC proxy.The dialogue request is terminated at SMSC proxy 24 because the dialogueshould be routed based on the B-address. The dialogue is terminated inorder to obtain the next message, which contains the SMS message. Oncethe SMS message is received, a new dialogue is opened and SMSC proxy 24sits between the two dialogues and effectively ties them together.Hence, SMSC proxy 24 can open the appropriate dialogue with theappropriate SMSC server based on the selection algorithm used.

In operation of an example flow, the ITP can be leveraged to achieve theteachings of the present invention. When the MSC sends an SMS messageinto the network, it is actually providing the called party address(CdPa), which is the destination SMSC address, or SMSC addressconfigured to handle the message (e.g. E.164 address of the calledparty). The calling party's address is the address of the MSC in thiscase. Hence, as outlined above, SMSC proxy 24 withholds the response tothe MSC until the message submission result from the SMSC server isreceived.

Before turning to the example operation of FIG. 3, it may be helpful tooffer some overview, as to the way in which some of the more intricatesignaling takes place in communication system 10. As highlighted above,SMSC proxy 24 provides the capability to loadbalance segmented SMSmessages. Moreover, ITP's MLR functionality today is purely a statelessadvanced routing system. As such, it is unable to both load balance andensure that a segmented SMS message will be routed in its entirety to aspecific SMSC. SMSC proxy 24 provides the functionality necessary forthe loadbalancing of segmented messages and still ensures that eachmessage is delivered in its entirety to a specific SMSC.

SMSC proxy 24 supports MLR SMS MO routing when the GSM SMS-MO message issegmented into two TCAP dialogue messages. SMSC proxy 24 allows routingof segmented GSM SMS-MO message based on all application layerparameters supported for non-segmented GSM SMS-MO messages. SMSC proxy24 further allows segmented GSM SMS-MO messages to be routed using thesame MLR address tables supported for non-segmented GSM SMS-MO messages.The originating MSC should receive an SMS MO ACK or NAK within aspecified time (e.g. 10 seconds) that indicates whether the message wassuccessfully accepted by the SMSC.

In order to route a segmented SMS MO message to a destination based onan application layer parameter (e.g., the B-address), the ITP canrespond to an MSC's BEGIN dialogue request. This action can cause theMSC to send the INVOKE component containing the MOForwardSM MAPoperation and SMS parameters in a CONTINUE message.

SMSC proxy 24 application can respond to MO-ForwardSM dialogue requestsfrom MSCs and couple them with an MO-ForwardSM dialogue with theselected destination SMSC. The SMS MO ACK will not be returned to theMSC until an SMS MO response is received from the destination SMSC, oran error/timeout occurs. This sequence allows the MSC to receive theactual submission status from the SMSC, and absolves SMSC proxy 24 fromhaving to store the short message for later submission.

Furthermore, in the event that the destination SMSC returns an ERRORcomponent, SMSC Proxy 24 will act upon the received error type. Theerror may be transparently passed to the originating MSC, it may betranslated into a different response type, or it may trigger selectionof another destination SMSC. For example, if the selected destinationSMSC indicates that it is experiencing application layer congestion,then the SMSC Proxy may either select another uncongested destinationSMSC, or translate the congestion error into a procedural error to avoidtriggering MSC-based throttling when the SMSC Proxy and the majority ofdestination SMSCs are still available.

The SMSC proxy address is returned to the MSC in a CONTINUE response toan empty BEGIN request for the MOforwardSM application context, and allsubsequent dialogue messages. This address must be uniquely routable bythe SS7 network layers to the SMS Proxy ITP responding to the BEGIN.This address will typically be specified as an E.164 global titleaddress, or the configured PC and SSN of the SMS Proxy ITP. The MSCs aregenerally capable of supporting the change of a dialogue's destinationaddress in the first CONTINUE Message. If the MSC does not support thechanging of the dialogue's destination address, then the MSC can useSCCP Class 1 when initiating the segmented/multi-message dialogues toensure that the same SMS MO proxy ITP will process all messages in thedialogue.

The MSC proxy address (or a MAP protocol extension for carrying theoriginating/servicing MSC address could be used here, which would allowthe SCCP CgPA to be the SMSC proxy address) is the address sent by theSMSC proxy in the SCCP CgPA within the proxied MOforwardSM transaction.To the SMSC, this address represents the servicing (or originating) MSCof the origin SME, and is only available to the SMSC via the SCCP CgPAfield. SMSCs may have features that require knowledge of the trueservicing MSC address, such as mobile number portability, prepaidbilling, postpaid billing, messaging statistics, etc. SMSC proxy 24should also provide an SCCP CgPA address, which is uniquely routable bythe SS7 network layers to the SMS MO proxy ITP to ensure proxieddialogue integrity.

SMSC proxy 24 can convert the servicing MSC calling party address into aglobal title with a reserved translation type value that is dedicatedfor use by that specific SMSC proxy 24. Nodes performing global titletranslation from the SMSC back to the SMS MO proxy ITP are provisionedto translate all global title addresses using the reserved translationtype value to the SMS MO proxy ITP. The servicing MSC calling partyaddress conversion can vary based on the routing indicator value andpresence of a global title (GT) within the received SCCP CgPA.

Turning now to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a simplified flow diagram of an exampleoperation associated with communication system 10. The method begins atSTEP 1, where ITP1 determines that the CdPA SMSC address is an MLRtrigger, and parses the TCAP layer. The message is identified as asegmented SMS MO message based on the combination of application contextvalue in the dialogue portion and the lack of an INVOKE component. Themessage is routed to the SMSC proxy application running as a localsubsystem on ITP1.

At STEP 2, ITP1 terminates the TCAP BEGIN request, and responds with aTCAP CONTINUE. GSM MAP version 1 dialogues are not segmented. The ITPcan accept segmented GSM MAP version 2 and 3 ShortMsg-MO Relayapplication contexts. When generating the CONTINUE, ITP1 will insert itsown local address into the CgPa field, which will ensure that theremainder of the dialogue reaches ITP1. This is standard TCAP behaviorper ITU Q.774.

STEP 3 illustrates that the MSC sends the SMS-SUBMIT or SMS-COMMANDmessage to ITP1. At STEP 4, ITP1 routes the message to the local SMSCproxy. The message is correlated to the existing dialogue (TID=222), andthe SMSC proxy subsystem then selects the appropriate destination SMSCbased on the SM-TP-DA short code or other parameter(s) (e.g. B-address,SMSC weight, availability, congestion, or other application layerparameters). Once selected, ITP1 initiates a new dialogue with thedestination SMSCb. At STEP 6, ITP1 routes the message to the local SMSCproxy subsystem. The message is correlated to the existing dialogue (TID223), and the relay application then sends the SMS message to SMSCb.Note that in steps 5 and 7, the servicing MSC address is preserved,where ‘TT’ represents a translation type unique to ITP1.

STEPS 6, 7, and 8 collectively show that ITP1 routes the message to thelocal SMSC proxy subsystem. The message is correlated to an existingdialogue, and the destination-side dialogue is ended. The SMSC proxyapplication or subsystem then ends the dialogue with the originating MSCbased on the information received from SMSCb. If SMS user informationwas returned from SMSCb, then that information would be returned to theMSC.

It should be noted that the preceding discussions illustrate particularmethods for effecting an optimal SMS message protocol. However, thesediscussions illustrate only exemplary methods of operation. It iscritical to note that the stages and steps in the FIGURES illustrateonly some of the possible scenarios and operations that may be executedby, or within, the present system. Some of these stages and/or steps maybe deleted or removed where appropriate, or these stages and/or stepsmay be modified, enhanced, or changed considerably without departingfrom the scope of the present invention.

In addition, a number of these operations have been described as beingexecuted concurrently with, or in parallel to, one or more additionaloperations. However, the timing of these operations may be altered. Thepreceding example flows have been offered for purposes of teaching anddiscussion. Substantial flexibility is provided by the tenderedarchitecture in that any suitable arrangements, chronologies,configurations, and timing mechanisms may be provided without departingfrom the broad scope of the present invention. Accordingly,communications capabilities, data processing features and elements,suitable infrastructure, and any other appropriate software, hardware,or data storage objects may be included within communication system 10to effectuate the proxy tasks and operations of the elements andactivities associated with executing suitable distribution functions.

Although the present invention has been described in detail withreference to particular embodiments, it should be understood thatvarious other changes, substitutions, and alterations may be made heretowithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.The illustrated network architecture of FIG. 1 has only been offered forpurposes of example and teaching. Suitable alternatives andsubstitutions are envisioned and contemplated by the present invention:such alternatives and substitutions being clearly within the broad scopeof communication system 10. For example, the present invention caneasily be used in GSM architectures, but from a conceptual level, theteachings of the present invention can readily be applied to IS41configurations. Considerable flexibility is provided by the presentinvention, as the broad concept, as explained herein, is replete withany such applications.

Numerous other changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, andmodifications may be ascertained to one skilled in the art and it isintended that the present invention encompass all such changes,substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications as fallingwithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. An apparatus for distributing messages, comprising: a short messageservice center (SMSC) proxy coupled to one or more SMSC servers, whereinthe SMSC proxy is operable to receive one or more SMS messages and todistribute one or more of the messages to a selected SMSC server.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more of the SMS messages aredistributed based on their application type, and wherein the SMSmessages are either segmented or non-segmented.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein one or more of the SMS messages are distributed basedon their B-address, an A-address, or on message content.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 3, wherein one or more of the SMS messages aredistributed based on a weighted round robin algorithm, which can beexecuted independent of, or in conjunction with, evaluating theB-addresses of the SMS messages.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinone or more of the SMS messages are distributed based on networkavailability, network congestion, or on a specific B-address in a rangeof B-addresses that are bound to a specific SMSC server within aweighted set.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the SMSC proxy isprovided in one or more mobile switching center (MSC) sites, and whereinrouting of the SMS messages can be done through an Internet Protocol(IP) network.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the SMSC proxy iscoupled to an IP transfer point (ITP), which reflects a stateful proxy,and wherein the ITP is operable to communicate with one or more SMSCservers.
 8. A method for distributing messages, comprising: receivingone or more short message service (SMS) messages; and distributing oneor more of the messages to a selected one or a plurality of shortmessage service center (SMSC) servers.
 9. The method of claim 8, whereinone or more of the SMS messages are distributed based on theirapplication type.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein one or more of theSMS messages are distributed based on their B-address.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein one or more of the SMS messages are distributed basedon a weighted round robin algorithm, which can be executed independentof, or in conjunction with, evaluating the B-addresses of the SMSmessages.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein one or more of the SMSmessages are distributed based on their application type, and whereinthe SMS messages are either segmented or non-segmented.
 13. The methodof claim 8, further comprising: routing one or more of the SMS messagesthrough an Internet Protocol (IP) network.
 14. The method of claim 8,wherein an IP transfer point (ITP) is provided, which reflects astateful proxy, and wherein the ITP is operable to communicate with oneor more SMSC servers.
 15. The method of claim 8, further comprising:terminating a dialogue request from a selected one of a plurality ofMSCs because the dialogue is to be routed based on the B-addresses ofone or more of the SMS messages.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein thedialogue is terminated in order to obtain a next message, which containsa selected one of the SMS messages.
 17. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising: opening a new dialogue with a selected one of the SMSCservers, wherein the two dialogues are tied together, wherein an addressassociated with an origination or a servicing MSC can be preserved. 18.The method of claim 17, further comprising: withholding a response to aselected one of a plurality of MSCs until a result from the selectedSMSC server is received.
 19. Software for distributing messages, thesoftware being embodied in a computer readable medium and comprisingcomputer code such that when executed is operable to: receive one ormore short message service (SMS) messages; and distribute one or more ofthe messages to a selected one or a plurality of short message servicecenter (SMSC) servers.
 20. The medium of claim 19, wherein one or moreof the SMS messages are distributed based on their application type. 21.The medium of claim 19, wherein one or more of the SMS messages aredistributed based on network availability, network congestion, or on aspecific B-address in a range of B-addresses that are bound to aspecific SMSC server within a weighted set.
 22. The medium of claim 19,wherein one or more of the SMS messages are distributed based on aweighted round robin algorithm, which can be executed independent of, orin conjunction with, evaluating the B-addresses of the SMS messages. 23.The medium of claim 19, wherein one or more of the SMS messages aredistributed based on their application type, and wherein the SMSmessages are either segmented or non-segmented.
 24. The medium of claim19, wherein the code is further operable to: terminate a dialoguerequest at a selected one of a plurality of MSCs because the dialogue isto be routed based on the B-addresses of one or more of the SMSmessages.
 25. The medium of claim 19, wherein the dialogue is terminatedin order to obtain a next message, which contains a selected one of theSMS messages.
 26. The medium of claim 25, wherein the code is furtheroperable to: open a new dialogue with a selected one of the SMSCservers, wherein the two dialogues are tied together.
 27. The medium ofclaim 19, wherein the code is further operable to: withhold a responseto a selected one of a plurality of MSCs until a result from theselected SMSC server is received.